Regarding Monday's column on the frequency of motorists making left turns such that they encroach into the opposing-traffic lane of the road they're turning onto, I was happy to find that many people also consider this among their pet peeves. So many people do it so routinely I was beginning to think I was the only one noticing.

Bethlehem Traffic Engineer Tiffany Geklinsky had suggested that rumble strips along the dashed "radius lines" that mark the turn lanes through intersections might help, though she cautioned that PennDOT might not approve the idea, and added that motorist might object because through traffic would "feel" some of the rumbling as well.

Her suggestion got me thinking that the strips could be cut into the road surface surrounding the edge of the stop bar that get worn away prematurely by the frequency of intrusive left-turners, and that raised reflective road markers like those used for lane lines on roads without illumination also could work to some degree.

That and a couple of other concepts have been suggested in the comments so far (see below). Thanks for the input, fellow warriors!

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Demarcate lanes with rumble strips or temporary vertical cones....

--Steve Krawiec

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For another fun left turn where people routinely cut into the opposing lane, try going south on Schoenersville Road and turn left onto Macada Road.

--Ron Horvath, Bethlehem

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Dan:

You have landed on my favorite thing to hate about driving today. Drivers making left turns into my lane at intersections is an extremely common occurrence down here with drivers turning off of Lanark Road onto Hopewell or Spring Drive. To be safe, you have to stop well short of the cross bar and sneak up to the corner while looking for the idiot who may turn right into you. I have actually had to back up on occasions.

The problem is especially bad at Hopewell as there is a house on the corner that blocks your line of sight which is another big problem here that the police department apparently does not care to do anything about. (Trees and shrubbery.) I have been so tempted to submit a Thumbs Down in the PennyPower saying “Hey stupid, that circular thing in front of your face is a steering wheel. Use it.” But of course these drivers are often just ignorant, lazy, in a big hurry and maybe even on a cell phone requiring them to steer with just one hand. Like many things today, its an attitudinal problem for which there is no answer let alone an easy one.

There have been times, especially when people are driving with their window down, that it appears they are taking the corner using body English, leaning out the window and all. I could almost reach out and slap them on the head.

Keep up the good work.

Chuck Graves, Upper Saucon Township

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Dan,

Reegarding your answer to today’s question and request for any ideas, perhaps a SOLID white line and some signage advising motorists to stay in their lane would help keep drivers in their lane. At Route 378-Third Street, it may have the effect of having motorists visualize the intersection as a more of a turn in the road where the lines can guide them, if you know what I mean. I do not know of a reason why the line have to be dashed. Thanks!

--Bruce S. Spadaccia, Bethlehem Township

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Re your Monday article concerning the encroachment made by offending vehicles turning left over established left turn lanes,about the only feasible thing that comes to mind would be an effort to better identify the inbound-outbound lane separation.

Normally, in cases such as this,the current lane widths may allow reducing the normal pavement widths by 12" to 18" for each opposing lane to permit a painted separation of 24"to 36" between lanes for approximately 150 feet to 200 feet,or as much as possible, in advance of the limit line.

The 24" to 36" width would be striped with the proper diagonal lines at a distance of 20 feet apart within this separation.

This concept is probably grasping at straws but the image of a painted "barrier" may influence a left-turning motorist to stay in his proper lane and not encroach over the limit line and opposing traffic lane.

A single or a double painted line is so prevalent motorists tend to ignore them given a chance.A hatched separation just may keep them apart.

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about this blog

Morning Call Reporter and Columnist Dan Hartzell is The Road Warrior, defending the drivers of the Lehigh Valley and the roads on which they drive. E-mail questions about transportation in the Lehigh Valley and beyond to hartzell@mcall.com.